2011 Legislative Outlook

2011 Political Party Shifts

Minnesota electoral results are always interesting, and after electing a variety of candidates—from comedians to professional wrestlers—this year brings changes that are slightly less exciting for National news outlets. For Minnesota residents, however, the changes are historic. For the first time since 1983, Minnesota says goodbye to Republican gubernatorial leadership and Democrat Mark Dayton assumes the role come January 3rd. One day later, another historic event—for the first time in over four decades, Republicans will be in charge of both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature as session kicks off on January 4th. What do changes in leadership mean for priorities set for 2011?

Dayton will become the first Democrat to serve as the state’s governor in 20 years, winning by an official margin of 8,770 votes (9,080 had Emmer not conceded, waiving the remaining recount according to the Secretary of State’s office). Dayton’s gubernatorial administration includes a new lieutenant governor, new commissioners, and new deputy commissioners. Regardless, Dayton will have to work with GOP legislative majorities, many of whom oppose his campaign pledge to increase taxes to close the gap in Minnesota’s $6.2 billion shortfall. Dayton’s role will also be a different challenge than Governor Pawlenty’s . Governor Pawlenty could control bills by vetoing. In a sense, this will be reversed as Dayton cannot sign or veto a bill unless it is first sent to him.

The Legislature shifts under Republican control as well. Kurt Zellers will be the Speaker of the House, and Amy Koch will be the Senate Majority Leader. Demographically, just over half of the new House and Senate Republican majorities represent Greater Minnesota districts, while the remaining 46 percent represent districts in the seven-county Twin Cities area.

What do changes in leadership mean for 2011 priorities?

Center Stage for 2011: Priorities and Issues
While both parties express their desire for a civil legislative process, each party has a different agenda with regard to the following priorities:

Budget/Taxes

Republicans continue to restate their opposition to tax increases as a means to fix the Minnesota budget shortfall. The message from Republicans: the state needs to learn to live within its means. Republicans believe they can extract considerable savings from state government and by making cuts on state spending. Democrats are concerned that an all-cuts budget will squeeze the middle-class with higher property taxes, higher tuition, and higher fees. The new Democratic governor plans on easing the deficit by raising taxes on the higher income earners in the state. About 75 percent of state dollars that are spent annually go to schools, cities, counties, colleges, people receiving public aid and debt service construction bonds.

Regulatory Permitting

One of the first bills through the gate in the 2011 Minnesota Legislature will likely be aimed at maximizing efficiencies with regulatory permitting and breaking down the burdens Republicans say impeded business expansion and job growth. Republicans would like to make Minnesota a friendlier place for business.

Jobs

Job growth will continue to be a legislative priority for both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans are committed to keeping employment and attracting employers in Minnesota. Democrats also want to work in partnership with Governor Dayton to ensure job creation and further investment in education.

Education Reform

Republican leaders have said educational reform is a priority and have stated they will try to protect spending for schools. Democrats also emphasize the importance of investing in education. The state’s K-12 budget alone uses up more than one-third of the Minnesota budget.

Energy/Environmental Regulation

Republicans have cited regulatory reform as a key priority and hope to streamline the environmental permitting process in efforts to make it less costly for businesses to build and expand their operations. Democrats are skeptical about Republican plans to cut back on environmental regulations and to reduce mandates on local governments. Republicans also hope to lift the state’s ban on new nuclear power facilities, and additionally hope to further develop renewable energy projects and alternative energy sources.

Other Priorities

The 2011 session will likely bring forward a debate on public subsidies for building a new Vikings football stadium. Republicans are open to the possibility of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, but believe there are too many unknowns. A photo ID requirement for voters may come forward. Finally, Dayton and Republicans have toyed with an untapped revenue source—namely expanding gambling by authorizing a new state-run casino or adding slot machines at existing horse tracks.